13 Kid-Friendly Spring Break Ideas in Memphis

13 Kid-Friendly Spring Break Ideas

Things To Do With Kids In Memphis

Shelby County Schools Spring Break is March 10-14, 2025. If you're sticking around Memphis and are looking for spring break ideas for kids, or just things to do with the kids this year—here are a few ideas!

1. Take a Memphis civil rights history tour (FREE)
family of four in front of Upstanders civil rights mural
The Traveling Child
"Upstanders" Mural by Nelson Guitierrez and Cedar Nordbye.

If the kids are old enough, book a tour with A Tour of Possibilities to learn about Black history in Memphis. You could also do a self-guided tour of civil rights sites like these: 

2. Walk the Wolf River Greenway (FREE) 
woman stands on dock overlooking water on wolf river greenway
Sean Fisher | Mr. Bootstraps

 

Take the kids somewhere they haven't been to explore the outdoors this Spring Break—the Wolf River Greenway stretches 14 miles (& growing!) with multiple sections all over town, including Mud Island, Epping Way, Kennedy Park, and Walnut Grove. Check out the list and get a map here

3. Explore 30+ Exhibits of Educational Play at Children's Museum of Memphis ($18 per person)
two young boys look at lit up carousel at CMOM
Jacob Geyer

 

The Children’s Museum of Memphis is always a good spot to take the kiddos. CMOM offers fun activities daily in addition to their play areas. Check out their latest exhibit Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit which explores the complicated yet simple concepts of opposites.

4. Spring Break Camp At Memphis Zoo ($245/member, $275/non-members)
mom helps daughter feed giraffes at memphis zoo
Julian Harper

 

A spring break experience a child is guaranteed to remember. Memphis Zoo offers a camp from March 10-14 AND March 17-21 from 9 a.m, to 3 p.m. each day. Zoo Camp offers exploration into the fascinating world of zoo residents with tours, animal meet and greets, and hands-on exploration. They have an extended care add-on too.  Details here.

5. Go Outside And Play (free)
kids play on giant playground with salamander design at Tom Lee Park
Alex Shansky

There's nothing like a good old fashioned day at the playground to burn some energy and (hopefully) soak up the sun. Even if you need a jacket, it’s worth it to get moving. Try one of these: 

6. Let Kids Burn Off All That Energy At Run 'n' Fun Camp ($40/day)

We get it. The kids are going to have a lot of energy and wiggles to burn being out of school. The Memphis Sports and Events Center is providing an action-packed spring break camp with obstacle courses and indoor games. Daily check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. with a 4 p.m. pick up. Extended care is available too. Details here.

7. Spring Break With MoSH's Mythical Menagerie! ($285/Non-members, $275/Members)
Alex Shansky

 

The Museum of Science and History has multiple activities during Spring Break in Memphis this year! Check out their calendar of happenings and their latest exhibit Earth Matters: Rethink the Future .

Looking for a camp opportunity? At MoSH's Lichterman Nature Center, campers will explore the role of animals in myths and folklore from around the world. Through storytelling, crafts, and hands-on activities, they’ll discover legendary creatures and even create their own tales! Details here.

8. Go on a Kid-Friendly Food Crawl (prices vary)
two young girls cheers with milkshakes at A Schwab
Julian Harper

 

Most food and pub crawls are for grown-ups, but what about a kid-friendly food crawl at several local restaurants?  Here are a few that kids will love:

9. Visit the Dixon Gallery & Gardens (free!)
woman walks through pathway surrounded by tulips
Julian Harper

 

Did you know that the Dixon Gallery & Gardens is still free?! Take the whole family to peruse the gardens, walk through the pathways, see the flowers—tulips may be blooming soon—and the sculptures. Take the bucks you saved on admission and grab some lunch, coffee, or a treat from the cafe. Check out their kid and teen friendly programming here.

The Dixon also offers a Nature Camp for grades 1-5 for spring break. Little ones will get a fun sun-filled week of activities, experiments, games, and more. $175 for non-members, $150 for Dixon members. Details here.

10. Find a museum or attraction you haven't been to. (prices vary)
two children pose in firefighter clothing at fire museum
Creation Studios

 

Spend a few afternoons at some of these charming kid-friendly Memphis attractions.

  • The Fire Museum downtown is especially great for younger kids.
  • The Lichterman Nature Center in East Memphis features trails and a wildlife center
  • The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa gives a glimpse into the area's original Native American inhabitants and is adjacent to lots of picnic-friendly places.
  • The Memphis Zoo is pretty packed during Spring Break, but I wanted to mention it here as a perfect Memphis family fun idea in general!
11. Do something adventurous with the kids. (prices vary)
two children cross bridge in air at go ape
Creation Studios

 

For kids looking for adrenaline pumping adventure this spring break.

12. Learn something new with a class or workshop. (prices vary)

Just because it's spring break doesn't mean the learning has to stop! 

13. Take a trip to a local bookstore or the library.
Erin Austen Abbott

Memphis has quite a few. Check out the guide to local Memphis bookstores here. Most are near great local restaurants (Novel even has a cafe inside) so plan to get some lunch afterwards!

A Few Other Ideas. I'm Just Going To List Them.

What's the best Spring Break you (or your kids) ever had in Memphis? Tell me in the comments.

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About the Author

Hello! I'm Jalyn Souchek, the Director of Content for I Love Memphis Blog! I love calling the 901 home. When I'm not running the blog you can find me cheering on the Grizzlies, at a concert, exploring a new restaurant or kicking back at one of our breweries. I hope you'll love experiencing Memphis with me.

Build your perfect Memphis meal:

I love to eat so if I were to have only one meal left.. I’m going all out. I’d start with an app of Gumbo Fries from Blue City Cafe or Bayou Fries from Chef Tam, wings from Good Fortune or Central’s (honey gold and Jamaican Jerk), potato salad from Fat Larry’s, side of bbq spaghetti from Bar-B-Q Shop, and fried okra from Soul Fish. All paired with a Beale Street Brewing Space Age Sippin’.

Your most memorable Memphis moment:

College GameDay on Beale Street. That was an electric and perfect morning. I was still working in news then and was able to take it in up close and on the stage at some points. The fun and joy of everyone down there that morning is unbeatable.

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Dorothy Chancey
I didn't see this on your blog, but the National Ornamental Metal Museum on Channel 3 Drive is a great place to take a family. You can pay a small fee to go into the museum proper and see the latest exhibits of metalworking, or you can stroll over to the blacksmith in the adjacent building and watch the smith at work. Ask questions. The answers are interesting and informative. Bring a picnic lunch, because the courtyard between the blacksmith shop and the museum is full of metal sculptures and places to sit and eat lunch. Or go across the street to the park and see where Hernando De Soto discovered the Mississippi River. There is a mound there that is of unknown origin but may have been built by the Native Americans. Also, look at the buildings next to the museum property. They are the remains of the Great Yellowfever Epidemic hospital. Who knew there was so much to see in such a small area?!
March 9, 2016 7:13pm
Melody
I really appreciate this site! Thank you for sharing ideas to help parents make this Spring Break fun in the local area.
March 10, 2016 8:27am
Michael Todd

You can also ride go-karts at Incredible Pizza Co.  or ride the only indoor roller coaster in Memphis. Make incredible memories at Incredible Pizza during Spring Break. 

March 14, 2022 9:08pm
Jabberblabber

We ❤Memphis! Thanks for this great Spring Break list for parents in the MidSouth. ❤

March 13, 2023 4:00am
Tia

Luv, luv, luv your Blog!! Great tips!!???

March 14, 2024 3:36pm